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MSF activities at the Sinuni General Hospital
The effects of years of conflict and instability continue to be felt in Iraq. Despite the resumption of services in some health facilities, the country’s public health system is still far from making a full recovery.

While over 4.8 million people have managed to return home, around 1.1 million people remain displaced across 18 governorates*. Both returnees and those still displaced struggle to access basic services and job opportunities. 

The healthcare system is unable to fulfil the needs of people, which is exacerbated by the shortages of specialist healthcare workers and drugs.

Our teams in Iraq continue to bridge the most pressing gaps in access to healthcare in four governorates. We provide general, maternal, neonatal, and mental healthcare, in addition to surgical procedures, post-operative care and rehabilitation, treatment for non-communicable diseases and emergency medical care.

*http://iraqdtm.iom.int/ - IOM

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Our activities in 2023 in Iraq

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2023.

MSF in Iraq in 2023 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ran a diverse range of health services across Iraq in 2023, serving hard-to-reach communities and people affected by years of conflict.
Iraq IAR map 2023

Despite signs of improvements after decades of fighting and war, Iraq’s public healthcare sector is still recovering and there are significant needs, particularly in remote areas and regions directly affected by the recent conflict with the Islamic State group.

As international resources have been reallocated to other regions in the world and assistance has decreased in Iraq, the country is facing the major challenge of rebuilding and rehabilitating its infrastructure and public services, including public healthcare.

In 2023, MSF teams worked in 11 locations across Iraq, delivering a wide range of essential and specialised medical services to residents of areas with limited access to healthcare, as well as to people returning home after prolonged displacement in camps or other regions within the country.

Our activities included maternal, paediatric and neonatal services, emergency medical care, sexual and reproductive healthcare, specialised orthopaedic and obstetric surgery, comprehensive post-surgical rehabilitation, treatment for non-communicable diseases, and mental health support. In addition, we supported healthcare facilities across Iraq with donations of medical supplies and technical training for staff, and strengthened local health authorities’ preparedness for emergencies.

We also continued to assist the National Tuberculosis Institute with the administration of oral treatment regimens for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

During the year, we organised several referrals for Iraqi patients requiring specialist surgical care to MSF’s reconstructive surgery hospital in Amman, Jordan.

 

In 2023
 
Iraq : Treating COVID-19 in Baghdad
Iraq

The restless challenge of tackling COVID-19 in Iraq

Project Update 21 Jan 2022
 
Iraq : Treating COVID-19 in Baghdad
Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

“Only vaccination will end the ferocious spread of COVID-19 in Iraq”

Opinion 31 Mar 2021
 
Iraq : Treating COVID-19 in Baghdad
Iraq

Severe COVID-19 patients in Iraq “were almost sure to die”

Project Update 16 Feb 2021
 
COVID-19 ward in Al-Kindy hospital, Baghdad
Iraq

COVID-19 outbreak in Baghdad is “very alarming”

Project Update 24 Sep 2020
 
MSF activities in Sinjar District
Iraq

Yazidi community suffers one crisis after another

Project Update 9 Aug 2020
 
MSF COVID-19 response in Mosul
Iraq

Mosul: MSF works on dual front of COVID-19 and lifesaving medical care

Project Update 5 Aug 2020
 
Laylan Camp: Kirkuk, Iraq
Iraq

Displaced people are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 in Iraq

Press Release 14 Jul 2020
 
IPC training in Ibn El-Khateeb Hospital, Baghdad
Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

MSF supports Iraqi hospitals responding to COVID-19

Project Update 14 Apr 2020

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13 June 2018